The Société québécoise du cannabis opens its first stores on October 17, 2018 Français

News provided by

Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)

Oct 16, 2018, 10:30 ET

MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) announced today the opening of twelve stores and a transactional website as soon as the federal law (C-45) comes into effect and in compliance with the provincial regulation (law 157), this 17 October 2018. This is the first stage in the stores roll-out to make cannabis available through a secure sales network with the aim to attract customers from the illicit market and to protect public health. All branches of the SQDC have storefront locations which are situated in areas easily accessible by customers. Also, they must be located away from primary and secondary schools by at least 250 meters (150 meters for the City of Montreal). Online sales at www.SQDC.ca will also be operational as of October 17 in order to cover the entire province of Québec.  

Advisor training

To provide assistance in the purchase of cannabis and from a health protection perspective, the SQDC store advisors received a solid training before taking up their duties on October 17. Developed jointly by the SQDC and the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), this training allowed employees to acquire all the expertise necessary to understand the laws and regulations on cannabis as well as the SQDC's mission. Thus, the SQDC can count on advisors trained to assist customers in a responsible manner.

Adapted stores

The stores reflect the SQDC's mission and the commitment to make all the information accessible without encouraging consumption. They are designed to promote the safety of clients and advisors as well as to provide information, education and guidance. The stores are designed in three sections. The first is the reception zone where the age of customers is validated. Products are not visible from this section. Secondly, there is the advice zone, the heart of the store and the area where information and advisory services are offered from a health and education perspective. The products are presented behind the counter and will not be directly accessible to customers. The easy to use and educational content displayed makes it simple to get all the product information at a glance. Posters and documentation also outline the risks associated with cannabis use, warnings and help resources available as needed. The third zone, whose access is restricted and secure, is intended for storage only.

Available products

The products are offered according to three types of cannabis: Indica, Sativa and Hybrid and come in several varieties that each have different effects, aromas and levels of THC and CBD. The products are available in the form of dried flower, ground cannabis, pre-rolled, oil, oral spray and pill or gel cap. No edible products will be available, as stated by the provincial and federal law. Intensity, flavor and product type icons can easily be found in store or online and advisors are trained to guide consumers to make informed and responsible choices. The prices of the products are competitive and reflect their quality and traceability as well as the assistance offered to the customers.

For a responsible consumption

The SQDC intends to fulfill its mandate entrusted by the Government of Quebec with all the rigor and diligence necessary to ensure the distribution and retail sale of cannabis with a focus on health protection in order to attract and retain black market customers without actually promoting cannabis use.

List of stores opening on October 17, 2018

  • Québec – 670, rue Bouvier
  • Québec – 2491, chemin Sainte-Foy
  • Lévis – 95, route du Président-Kennedy
  • Trois-Rivières – 3548, boul. des Forges
  • Drummondville – 965, boul. St-Joseph
  • Montréal (Peel) – 970, Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
  • Montréal (L'Acadie) – 9250, Boulevard de l'Acadie
  • Montréal (Rosemont-Petite-Patrie) – 6872 St-Hubert
  • Rimouski – 110-1, rue St-Germain ouest
  • Mirabel – 13421, boulevard Curé-Labelle
  • Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – 174, boulevard Saint-Luc suite 114
  • Mascouche – 172, Montée Masson

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the SQDC

SOURCE Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)

Linda Bouchard, Media Relations Officer, Société des alcools du Québec, 514 254-6000, ext. 5385, [email protected]; Mathieu Gaudreault, Media Relations Officer, Société des alcools du Québec, [email protected], 514 254-6000, poste 5795

Organization Profile

Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC)